City announces online Q&A forum for small businesses

The city’s Development Services and Economic Development departments are launching a new research tool for small-business owners looking to lease or buy property. Called Smart Start, it provides an online Q&A forum where people can “explore information about zoning, permitting, and construction regulations” by posing questions to city staff and other forum users, according to an announcement from the city. Funded by a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the platform was developed by Bazaarvoice, a company that creates similar tools for retail customers. This project, according to the city, is the company’s first foray into creating such a platform for a government entity.